Business and economic news for the Santa Barbara region

UPDATE: Some Retail Stores Closing for Good Along State Street, including Nordstrom

State Street is getting more ghostly every day. And, as no big surprise, Nordstrom plans to close later this year, as did Macy’s in Paseo Nuevo did three years ago.

Many small shop owners in Paseo Nuevo have feared the 20-year-old mall anchor Nordstrom would close soon. Now it’s a reality, even as mall renovation continues. Nordstrom is closing a total of its 16 stores around the country, according to a press release this week.

Some shop owners in the mall had feared Nordstrom’s closure for months because they might have to shutter as well. This came before Paseo Nuevo officials said last month they weren’t going to lose their anchor store.

More area retail store closures may be coming soon and some already have not only because of the pandemic lock down, but because retail has been falling off a cliff for years.

The big apparel and accessory store Forever 21 is all packed up along with boutique Brandy & Melville and as is one of the few locally owned shops, Plum Goods all on the 900 block of State Street.

Forever 21 already was in peril this year and was trying to renegotiate the building’s lease. It’s officially closed as are many other Forever 21 stores around the country in was started out as a bankruptcy plan.

Work out gyms on State Street are closing or already shuttered. Gold’s Gym on Carrillo Street has been closed for two months and on May 5, the parent company declared bankruptcy.

Some restaurants offer takeout, others such as East Indian eatery Tamira and Anacapa Street’s Cafe Ana have given up the ghost and shut.

It looks like there are more closures to come soon with stay in place orders likely to last into the summer.

Other restaurant closures include the Santa Barbara Harbor’s Endless Summer and the adjacent Chuck’s Waterfront Grill, which had been open for decades, as well as the Chuck’s restaurant on upper State Street.

Ironically, the state governor said this week some businesses — not all — can reopen by Friday.